Artwork When Selling Your Home

By
Home Stager with Rooms With Style

I normally see two schools of thought regarding artwork when I am assisting home owners in getting their home ready to hit the market.

 

One is that all artwork should be off the walls and leave everything neutral. This I especially see if the home has just been painted and the seller is reluctant to put holes in the walls. The second school of thought is that all walls should have a piece of artwork including small spaces and hallways.

 

What should be your mindset for selling is somewhere in the middle.

 

JJP-0272-3-4

 

You must have artwork on your walls when you are selling your home. It will create a place for the eye to land as well as enhance a focal point. This is extremely important when it comes to the MLS photos. What angle will they shoot the room from? What is the first wall a buyer sees when they walk into the room?

 

JJP-0161-2-3

 

Artwork should be hung or placed in key areas and many times that is only one place in a room. Usually not more than two places. A piece of artwork above a fireplace or above the sofa is probably all that you need.

 

In a Master Bedroom I rarely use more than one piece of artwork and no it is not above the bed if you have a headboard.

 

JJP-0224-5-6-edit3

 

Many people feel that their house does not feel like a home if there isn't small pieces of artwork on each and every wall; on either side of a doorway, framing out a window  and along a hallway. By having too much artwork it is actually a distraction for the buyer. Their eyes are taking in so many things and looking at all your wall hangings that they totally miss the architectural features of the house.

 

This stunning home has so much architectural interest that if there was artwork on all the small posts or spaces it would be distracting.

 

50 Myrtlewood Rd Orono MN-large-009-56-myrtlewood57-1500×1000-72dpi

 

On the small MLS photo online, which is the first impression a potential buyer has of your home, they will see all the little things and miss the big picture (no pun intended, ha).

 

So stand back, take a look at your room and think about where you want the eye to be drawn. What is the first thing a person sees walking into the room? Take photos with your telephone and look at them like a buyer would online.

 

If you are struggling to see what is needed bring in a trained professional home stager  to assist you with perfect placement and height of your artwork.

 

 

 

Comments (12)

Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Shar. I have a lot of art up but it suits my home I think. I understand your thinking with this lovely home but I think it depends on the style of the home too. If I were selling and neutralizing my color palette, I know I would have less.

May 16, 2019 07:33 AM
Shar Sitter

I don't think it depends on the style of home actually. Old or new, traditional or modern, I don't think a lot of artwork should be up for selling. When you live there you can have as much or as little as you want though!

May 16, 2019 07:45 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Good Morning Shar,  I think you should have some up but not to many.  I go to lots of builders models and always notice what they are doing.

 

May 16, 2019 07:38 AM
Shar Sitter

So important to check out the models Will Hamm . What they are doing is what buyers want no matter how old a home is.

May 16, 2019 07:43 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Property Manager

Hi Shar,
The use of artwork differs greatly from "on market" and "off market".  I love lots of artwork while living in my home.  When and if I ever decide to sell that will definitely change. 

May 16, 2019 01:05 PM
Shar Sitter

Amen to that Carol Williams !

May 16, 2019 04:00 PM
Kat Palmiotti
406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker, Blackstone Realty Group - brokered by eXp Realty - Kalispell, MT
The House Kat

Exactly. The artwork that's in a house for sale is different than that in a house that's lived in. We want buyers to focus on the actual house, the rooms, the structure. Not on the seller's stuff.

 

May 18, 2019 04:19 AM
Shar Sitter

Amen Kat Palmiotti 

May 19, 2019 11:51 AM
Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD
ViewHomes of Clark County - Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
REALTORS® in Clark County, WA

Great advice, Shar. Your tips make perfect sense, and the proof is in the photos. Thank you for sharing your expertise. D 

May 18, 2019 07:03 AM
Shar Sitter

Thanks so much Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD , I appreciate it.

May 19, 2019 11:50 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Shar Sitter there's a place for artwork in certain rooms.... I have two rooms with none, but there are other pieces of artwork that take its place .... bedrooms with generous wall space has artwork in my house....bare walls look blah when the wall is 20'...  

May 18, 2019 07:07 AM
Shar Sitter

Very true Barbara Todaro . Large walls need artwork


 

May 19, 2019 11:50 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Shar Sitter - As for the argument about putting holes in walls, there are lots of alternative adhesives that don't take off paint or make holes. Great topic!

May 18, 2019 08:28 AM
Shar Sitter

That is true Sheri Sperry - MCNE® . I will say I don't use them though. Too many have failed and I don't want to be responsible for artwork crashing and scratching or nicking a hardwood floor. Plus some have pulled off drywall. So when I stage they have to sign off on small nail holes.

May 19, 2019 11:49 AM
Roy Kelley
Realty Group Referrals - Gaithersburg, MD

This is definitely an important topic and the best solutions are not always well received.

May 18, 2019 09:16 AM
Shar Sitter

That is so true Roy Kelley 

May 19, 2019 11:47 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Shar Sitter ,

I agree when a home is on the market less is more..when you're living in it put as much or little as your want. My stager always adds art when he stagesa home. Just enough

.

May 18, 2019 01:55 PM
Shar Sitter

Exactly and Amen to that Dorie Dillard CRS GRI ABR . So glad you use a stager and value them! Thank you.


 

May 19, 2019 11:47 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Shar:

Great advice here, and the photos really help to illlustrate your points.

I would also add that one should be careful about WHAT kind of artwork is hung. Some personal styles may be less suitable than others, at least when a home is for sale. When you are living there, it's all about what you love and enjoy!

Jeff

May 19, 2019 01:10 PM
Shar Sitter

Very good point Jeff Dowler, CRS . Just had to tell a client to take down a few naked male artwork pieces.

May 20, 2019 01:58 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

I am a lover of art Shar Sitter I think you hit the nail on the head - So glad sista Carol Williams  included this in SCS 

May 19, 2019 01:58 PM
Shar Sitter

Thank you so much Hannah Williams 

May 20, 2019 01:57 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

I think it's best to minimalize the art work and knick knacks, and especially photos.

May 23, 2019 09:57 PM

What's the reason you're reporting this blog entry?

Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam?